Moms and dads assemble to protect Portland protesters
Hannah Ray Lambert and Jacquelyn Abad
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland’s parents have to come to the aid of protesters as the city heads into its 53rd consecutive night of demonstrations against systemic racism and police.
The self-described Wall of Moms lined the fence around the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse Sunday evening in an effort to protect protesters. It was the group’s second appearance at the downtown demonstrations. Several of the moms also helped people wash their eyes after federal officers deployed tear gas and other crowd-control munitions.
They can now be found on social media at @WallofMoms.
“We come out here in yellow and large numbers,” said Edie, a protester.
“It’s to protect human rights, that’s what we are doing,” said Bev Barnum, another Wall of Moms member. “We are there for George Floyd, we are there for Breonna Taylor, we are there for the long haul.”
“We’re all moms and we’re here to keep these guys safe because they have a right to peaceful protest,” Lauren, one of the members of the group, told KOIN 6 News earlier in the evening Sunday. “If we don’t stand up now, we’re not going to have a chance to stand up later.”
For the last few nights, they’ve met at the Salmon Street Fountain and from there march to the Justice Center and neighboring federal courthouse on SW 3rd Avenue.
“We are going to show up until there isn’t a protest or protester left that needs protecting,” said Barnum.
A mom and a grandma are pictured in yellow shirts, gas masks and their protest signs. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
One mom’s sign at Monday night’s protest in downtown Portland. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
Moms identify themselves with yellow t-shirts. They gather at the Salmon Street Springs near the Waterfront before marching to the federal courthouse. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
Some folks hand out shields, swimming goggles, gloves, helmets, and more ahead of the Moms and Dads march in downtown Portland. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
“Fathers against racism” July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
“I’m so disappointed in you — mom” July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
“Black Lives Still Matter” July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
“White coats for Black lives” July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
Moms and Dads organize at the Salmon Spring Fountain and march to the federal courthouse to join in ongoing protests against police brutality. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
Mothers, aunts, and grandmas wear yellow while fathers, uncles, and grandfathers wear orange on the 53rd consecutive night of protests in downtown Portland. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
Moms dressed in yellow lock arms as protesters mobilize to march on the 53rd consecutive night of protests in downtown Portland. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
Protesters march and chant. July 20, 2020 (KOIN)
Members of the Mom Bloc are identifiable by their yellow shirts. In this photo, they stand as a human barricade at the intersection of SW 3rd and Main near the Justice Center in downtown Portland. July 19, 2020 (KOIN)
Two women in ponchos walk around on the 52nd night of protests outside the Justice Center and now Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland. One mom’s poncho reads, “Mom of 3, foster mom of 16, grandma to [illegible], frontline caregiver…” July 19, 2020 (KOIN)
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This time, a group of dads is supposed to join them too. The dads are asked to “mask up” and wear orange. The moms have been wearing yellow. Both groups are then expected to walk to the Justice Center, which has been the epicenter of demonstrations downtown.
